Pre-charge circuits are an important safety and functional feature for high voltage battery packs. Why is this, and how do these circuits work? In this video, Erik Stafl, President of Stafl Systems, describes the use of pre-charge circuits in high-voltage battery system design.
Pre-charge circuits are used because the power source connected to the battery has a high capacitance. If we did not have a pre-charge circuit, there would be a very large inrush current - upwards of thousands of amps - that can weld contactors shut. We want to avoid this inrush current.
If you are new to battery pack architecture and design, we encourage you to view our previous videos prior to watching this video. Some background in electrical engineering may be helpful for most audiences.
For more information about Stafl Systems and our capability to help with your project, visit staflsystems.com.